Proposed Skyway will cut travel time from Makati to QC

by Zen Hernandez, ABS-CBN News

MANILA, Philippines - As a solution to the traffic congestion on EDSA, Citra-Philippine National Construction Corp. (PNCC) is proposing the construction of an elevated highway from Buendia, Makati to Balintawak, Quezon City.

"The objective is to decongest EDSA and C-5... Good for motorists and good for the administration," Shadik Wahono, CEO of Citra-PNCC, said.

Called the Citra-PNCC Alignment (CPA), it will not go through EDSA but instead pass through Manila. Eight entrances and exits will be placed on Buendia, Quirino Avenue, Plaza Dilao, Aurora Boulevard, E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, Quezon Avenue, Sgt. Rivera Street and Balintawak.

The company, which built and operates the Skyway from Bicutan to Alabang and the South Luzon Expressway, estimates the CPA will cut travel time from Makati to Quezon City to between 6 to 10 minutes.

But the added convenience doesn't come free. Citra-PNCC is proposing a toll of P99 for the entire 14-kilometer expressway.

The project is estimated to cost P24 billion and would be shouldered entirely by Citra-PNCC.

Government has given positive feedback to the proposal.

"I was given a very, very short presentation, it will be fully financed by proponents without government guarantee so why not," Transportation and Communication Secretary Mar Roxas said.

But there is still no certainty to what company the franchise will be awarded to.

The Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., which operates the North Luzon Expressway, has submitted its own proposal for a "connector road."

The MMDA is also pushing for a Skybridge, which will be built on top of waterways.

Citra-PNCC said if the project is awarded to them, they can finish construction in 30 months or 2 and a half years.